Ora

At a Glance

Meaning

Breeze (as a form of Aura); the separate Hebrew name means 'light'

Origin

Latin (variant of Aura); a distinct Hebrew name Ora/Orah also exists

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

OR-uhListen

Ora is a name with a bit of a mix-up behind it: many people assume it means 'light' in Hebrew, but that meaning actually belongs to a separate Hebrew name that just happens to be spelled the same way. The English/American Ora traced by Wiktionary is instead a 19th-century variant of Aura, meaning 'breeze.' If you're drawn to Ora, it helps to know which version — and which meaning — you're actually choosing.

Meaning & Origin of Ora

Meaning: Breeze (as a form of Aura); the separate Hebrew name means 'light'.

Origin: Latin (variant of Aura); a distinct Hebrew name Ora/Orah also exists.

A common claim: Ora means 'light' (Hebrew) Actually: 'Light' belongs to a separate Hebrew name with the same spelling. The English/American name Ora is instead a 19th-century variant of Aura, meaning 'breeze.'

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Ora

Popularity of Ora

Ora reached its peak popularity in 1881, ranking #104 with 191 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had fallen to #3474, with just 45 babies named Ora.

Names Like Ora

Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.

• Lulu
• Halsey
• Delila
• Auguste
• Rosetta
• Lark

FAQ

What does the name Ora mean?

Breeze (as a form of Aura); the separate Hebrew name means ‘light’. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Ora?

Ora is pronounced OR-uh (IPA: /ˈɔːrə/).

Is Ora a popular name right now?

Ora peaked at #104 in 1881 and is ranked #3474 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Ora Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Ora, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.